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OPSEU members at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora give bargaining team strong strike mandate

NEWMARKET and AURORA, ON, March 4, 2016 /CNW/ - Workers at Community Living Newmarket/Aurora have given their union bargaining team a 94 per cent strike mandate. The vote was held March 3.

"Our members are speaking with one loud voice," said Kelly Holmes, chair of the bargaining team for Local 386 of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. "We are frustrated with the employer dragging out the negotiations. We want a fair contract now.

"Our local was certified in January 2014, yet we still don't have a contract. Our members have not received the funding increase for front-line Community Living Agencies that was rolled out in February 2015."

"I am proud of the resolve shown by the members of Local 386. They do important work and group homes couldn't function without them. These workers bring tremendous care and commitment when they help some of the most vulnerable people in our society," said OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. "They have OPSEU's full backing in their ongoing efforts to achieve a fair first contract."

Bargaining began in November 2014 and conciliation began in September 2015. Two days of conciliation are scheduled for next week.

Local 386 members work in group homes and support people who have developmental disabilities.